The Plan

Joshua 1:1-9 (NIV) Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Life can toss us some fancy curve balls once in a while. Sometimes we feel like they are aimed right for us and we find ourselves dodging these missiles day after day. Are you in a season like this? Do you keep asking why? Why am I a target Lord? What do I need to do to make it stop?

There is a plan, there is always a plan. I am slowly coming to this realization. Every morning when we get up brings us one step closer to fulfilling the plan. Joshua spent years at Moses' side, supporting him, learning from him and watching God's plan unfold. Joshua witnessed Moses' faith grow and then his grew as well.

Now we find Joshua taking Moses' place. God has been preparing him to take over, to lead the people to the Promised Land. The plan is taking shape; the pieces are falling into place. Are the pieces of your life falling into place or are they still scattered around your feet? Is anything beginning to make sense or are you still reeling from the last inning?

God instructed Joshua to be strong, obey God's law and read the Book. It is that simple and that complex at the same time. We have the same command.

• Be Strong - To be strong is to believe God is with us and know that will make all the difference.
• Obey - Do what He says even when it doesn't make sense. Trust God for all our needs.
• Study His Word - When all else fails, or because all else fails, turn to the Word. Read and study the scriptures, look for direction in these pages and you will find it.

Hold these words close to your heart. Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:1-9

Joshua 1:1-9

Moses' job was a big one!  He had the responsibility of leading over a million people out of bondage and into freedom; something the people had not experienced for many years.  With freedoms come new responsibilities, new realities and a new way of living out life.  God's people, whom Moses was guiding, had much to learn before they could live free. Now, Moses' life was over and the man he had worked alongside and prepared for this assignment would be taking on the leadership mantle and walking his people into the Promised Land.

"After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses' assistant: 'Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I'm giving to the People of Israel. I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses.'" (Joshua 1:1-3)

Joshua was the man Moses had mentored and prepared for this day. Moses did not live to see God's promise fulfilled, but Joshua did.  He had the great privilege and tremendous responsibility to see to the last leg of one journey and the first leg of yet another. Do you think he was overwhelmed, or do you think he felt blessed?

I am feeling a bit awe struck simply reading the lesson for today.  I can sense some of the sorrow Joshua may have felt at Moses' death and also some of the invigoration coursing through his heart as God speaks to him and tells him to "Be strong and Courageous...be strong and very courageous..."(Joshua 1:6,7) God further promises to be with him where ever he goes.

All these promises and commands are for us too.  Every time He gives us a new assignment in this life, He enables us to complete it.  He gives us His Word to teach and guide us.  He provides teachers and mentors to show us the way.  He encourages us to find friends, accountability partners to learn from and with.  He wants us to practice one another-ing to the fullest. 

Finding or forming a small group is one way to do this.  Do you have a group you learn from?  Are you part of a nurturing community or do you have someone who can disciple you on the road, as Joshua?  Let's read and enjoy the book of Joshua during July and August.  Let's soak up everything we can and learn from one of God's chosen.

Read Joshua 1:1-9 here

Listen to Joshua 1:1-9 here